The other day I went up flying and immediately noticed a strong gasoline odor, I've experienced this before when my floats needed replacing so I didn't get too excited, however I glanced at my fuel pressure which is usually just in the yellow band was now mid to upper green band. I decided to come back and land. When I shut down I found fuel running out of the lower cowl, I opened the oil door and saw the drain pan wet with fuel. I pulled the top cowl off and put the boost pump back on and saw fuel coming out of the bottom of the bowl under pressure. I took the carb bowl off and found the brass guide rod for the float laying in the bottom which exposed a hole completely through the bowl, this is not from wear it is made like this. The brass rods are slightly tapered and are pressed into the hole, however if the rod comes loose you have about a 3/32" open hole for the fuel to come out under pressure. Not a good design especially right over the exhaust pipe. The leak was large enough to drop my fuel pressure. BTW, I just had the carbs done at Lockwood about 90 hours ago...my carbs are perfectly synced and prop balanced to .04 IPS, she runs extremely smooth. I'm most likely going to buy two new bowls, at the very least those holes need to be sealed at the underside. I'm leary of pressing the guide back in and sealing the bottom holes...going to let Lockwood and Vans know about this.